Culberson to be sentenced Nov. 6 for Fronsman murder

Two of the co-defendants in the Celeste Fronsman murder will be sentenced early next month in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court.

Katrina Culberson will be sentenced in the Celeste Fronsman murder case on Nov. 6 in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court.

Culberson, 22, is among the three Canton residents who have been found guilty in the death of Fronsman, who was beaten, strangled and severely burned on Aug. 26, 2012.

A motorist found the 29-year-old Canton woman lying on Route 208 in Muskingum County before she rose up and threw herself on his vehicle. Fronsman died of the burn injuries two days later.

Last week, a jury found LaFonse Dixon Jr., 34, guilty of aggravated murder, aggravated arson and kidnapping. Dixon faced the death penalty. The jury, however, recommended that he be sentenced to life in prison with no chance at parole.

Muskingum County Common Pleas Court Judge Kelly Cottrill will formally sentence Dixon on Nov. 4. He also will sentence Culberson.

Culberson and Monica Washington, the third co-defendant, both have pleaded guilty to the same charges as Dixon.

Muskingum County Common Pleas Judge Mark Fleegle will sentence Washington, but no date has been set, said Ron Welch, an assistant prosecutor in Muskingum County.

Under a plea agreement, the prosecutor’s office is recommending life in prison for Culberson and life in prison for Washington with the possibility of parole after 25 years.